France’s Soft Power Shines Through Alumni

TDT | Manama

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The French Embassy in Bahrain turned its spotlight on the human stories behind international diplomacy on Sunday, hosting a celebration of Bahraini professionals who studied in France and went on to shape careers in law, business, and academia.

Held at the Residence of France and led by His Excellency Éric Giraud-Telme, the Ambassador of France to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the event marked Alumni Day 2025, part of the global Campus France initiative that unites more than 530,000 alumni from 136 countries.

The celebration brought together around 60 guests, including former scholarship recipients, French-language enthusiasts, academic partners, and members of the cultural community.

They gathered to reflect on how their experiences in France had shaped both their worldviews and professional journeys.

From scholarships to success

Among the alumni honoured was Jenan Ghareeb, who teaches at Ahlia University and previously studied French at CAVILAM in Vichy, France.

She received a language scholarship from the French Embassy in 2022 and shared how the experience deepened her connection to French culture and education.

Also recognised was Dr. Walid El-Masri, who completed his doctorate in law from the University of Strasbourg in 1991 and is now a professor at the University of Bahrain.

His story served as a reminder of the long-standing educational bridge between France and Bahrain.

Hasan Majed, CEO of Installux Gulf and an engineering graduate of Université de Technologie de Compiègne, also addressed the gathering, reflecting on how studying in France broadened his business and technical horizons.

Alumni Day was launched globally in 2023 by Campus France, the national agency that promotes French higher education abroad. The initiative aims to strengthen bonds among international alumni and highlight the cultural and academic impact of studying in France.